- Docente: Riccardo Amorati
- Credits: 5
- SSD: CHIM/06
- Language: English
- Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
- Campus: Bologna
- Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Photochemistry and Molecular Materials (cod. 6753)
Learning outcomes
At the end of the course, the student has acquired knowledge of radical reactions that lead to the oxidation of organic and biological materials, the main mechanisms of antioxidant action, and the relationship between structure and antioxidant activity.
Course contents
1) Structure and properties of free radicals. Stability of radicals, BDE. Main radical reactions and radical species involved.
2) Reaction of auto-oxidation. Initiation (photochemistry, thermal, redox), propagation (HAT, addition), termination. Non-radical reactions of hydroperoxides. Oxidation products of the main fatty acids and of cholesterol. Oxidation of biological molecules and drugs.
3) Antioxidants. General characteristics and mechanisms of action (preventive and chain-breaking). Phenols as antioxidants, phenoxy radicals. BDE of the phenolic bond. Kinetic aspects of autoxidation inhibited by phenols. Constant of inhibition. Catalytic antioxidants (aromatic amines, nitroxides). Natural and synthetic antioxidants.
4) Measure the antioxidant activity. Methods based on inhibited autoxidation: measurement of O2 consumption, peroxide formation, conjugated dienes, consumption of oxidizable probes. Approximate methods: ORAC, DPPH, ABTS.
5) EPR spectroscopy. Mechanism of operation and interpretation of the spectra. Spin trap.
6) Oxidative stress in biological systems. Natural antioxidant defenses. Ferroptosis.
Readings/Bibliography
Lecture notes and material uploaded to Virtuale.
Teaching methods
The lectures will involve the use power-point presentations. Problem solving sessions will be carried out for the student to gain acquaintance with the numeric treatment of chemical problems.
Assessment methods
The exam is oral and consists of questions that students can find listed in the file available on Virtuale.
The exam consists of a discussion of two topics chosen from the list available on Virtuale. It has two parts:
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The student presents a topic chosen only from those highlighted in bold in the list;
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The professor selects and asks about a topic from any on the list.
Further information on exam questions is available in the file on Virtuale.
For both parts, the oral discussion is aimed at assessing the student's acquired knowledge and skills. Exercises will be solved on the board, discussing structures and mechanisms related to organic chemistry. Theoretical aspects will also be explored in depth.
Failing grade: significant gaps in content knowledge; insufficient foundational knowledge in chemistry, inappropriate language use, and lack of orientation within the course topics.
Passing grade: barely appropriate language, weak argumentative ability, and minimal knowledge of the exam topics.
Good evaluation: good memorised knowledge of the subject, decent ability to summarize and analyze content, with correct technical language.
Excellent evaluation: in addition to content knowledge, the student must demonstrate the ability to elaborate and critically interpret; a clear and broad understanding of the topics is required, along with strong argumentative skills, mastery of a wide range of competencies, use of specific technical language, and the ability to solve complex exercises.
Note: A solid understanding of basic organic chemistry and biochemistry is required to properly contextualize the topics.
The average duration of the exam is about 40 minutes for both parts combined.
Teaching tools
Multimedia material will be presented, such as slides, movies, animations and three-dimensional visualization of atoms, molecules and materials.
The multimedial material utilized during the lectures will be made available for download from the teacher's web site.
Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.
Office hours
See the website of Riccardo Amorati